In the morning the angelus called every one to mass. After breakfast the day's work began and each Indian was sent to his task. Some cultivated the fields, some took care of the stock, some worked in the shops. Each one had to do his share of the work, and was punished if he disobeyed. He had to work, pray, and live as the friars told him.
Missions fall to ruin
When Mexico freed itself of Spanish rule, California became a part of Mexico. The new government put an end to the missions. The friars were forced to leave, and the Indians drifted back into their old wild life.
To-day nothing remains of the work of the friars except the old mission buildings. Most of them are in ruins, but they still tell of the quiet by-gone days when the gentle Franciscans ruled in California.
SUGGESTIONS INTENDED TO HELP THE PUPIL
The Leading Facts. 1. Houston had little schooling and went to live with the Cherokee Indians. 2. Wounded at Horseshoe Bend; studied law in Nashville; was sent to Congress for four years; and was elected governor of Tennessee. 3. Went to live with the Cherokees again, and then went to Texas. 4. Houston won the battle of San Jacinto; was made president of the republic of Texas; and later elected to the United States Senate. 5. David Crockett was born in Tennessee, had little schooling, and became an expert rifle shot. 6. He fought the Indians under Andrew Jackson. 7. Won an election to the legislature by telling stories; later elected to Congress. 8. Crockett grew tired of civilization and returned to the wilderness. 9. Fought against the Mexicans at the Alamo, where he was killed with all his companions. 10. Fremont went to school in Charleston, but left for a voyage to South America. 11. He worked for exploring parties; married, and thus became related to a great man interested in the Far West. 12. Fremont explored the South Pass on his first expedition; on his second, saw Great Salt Lake, and crossed the mountains with great suffering. 13. Fremont crossed a third time, and aided in conquering California; was made a United States senator, and became first candidate of the Republican party for the presidency. 14. Franciscan friars, long before the landing of the Pilgrims, entered what is now New Mexico, Arizona, and California. 15. They taught the Indians the Christian religion and many useful occupations.
Study Questions. 1. What was peculiar in Houston's early life? 2. What had he done before he began to study law? 3. What made people like him? 4. Where was the battle of Horseshoe Bend fought? 5. How did the Cherokee chief welcome him? 6. Why did Houston go back to Tennessee? 7. What drew him to Texas? 8. What were the first bad defeats of the Texans? 9. Tell the story of San Jacinto. 10. What kind of a general, a president, and a senator did Houston make? 11. Where did Crockett spend his boyhood, and what fame did he gain? 12. How did he win his way to the legislature? 13. What made Crockett go back to the wilderness? 14. Describe the fight at the Alamo. 15. Who was John Charles Fremont? 16. What of his youthful days? 17. What experience in early days after college prepared him for his great work? 18. Who was Kit Carson? 19. Describe Fremont's journey to the South Pass. 20. Tell what was seen and what was done there. 21. What expedition did he now plan? 22. Picture the scene on the discovery of the Great Salt Lake. 23. Picture his exploration of the Great Basin and crossing the mountains. 24. What was the contrast at Sutter's Fort? 25. Describe the Digger Indians. 26. At what was Fremont's third expedition aimed, and what did it really accomplish? 27. Who was St. Francis? 28. Describe Serra's arrival at San Diego. 29. Why did he build a mission at San Diego? 30. Describe life at a Spanish mission. 31. What happened when Spanish rule was ended in California?
Suggested Readings. Houston: Bruce, Life of General Houston.
David Crockett: Crockett, Life of Davy Crockett; Lodge and Roosevelt, Hero Tales from American History, 171-181.
Fremont: Bigelow, Life of John Charles Fremont, 1-216, 319-373, 379-466.